Trump-Xi September Summit Takes Shape as Preparations Begin

[Financial News] As the United States and China continue to clash over trade and Taiwan, they have begun full-scale preparations for a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping scheduled for September. With the two countries' top diplomats confirming common ground on holding the summit, the relationship appears to be keeping a channel for dialogue open even amid confrontation.
According to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China on the 23rd, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China and also foreign minister, met with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Manila, the Philippines, the previous day. The two met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and discussed implementation of agreements reached by the two leaders, as well as follow-up high-level exchanges.
The Chinese foreign ministry described the talks as "pragmatic, positive and constructive" and said the two sides agreed to "strengthen the role of political and diplomatic channels and make good preparations for the next round of high-level exchanges." Diplomatic sources say China's reference to the "next round of high-level exchanges" points to preparations for a September summit between Trump and Xi.
Trump had previously said Xi would visit the United States in September, but China has not yet officially confirmed any specific schedule for the trip. With the two foreign ministers publicly raising the need to prepare for a summit, expectations for the meeting being realized are rising further.
After the meeting, Rubio said, "We talked a lot about Xi's visit to Washington, D.C." He added, "We need to find areas where we can cooperate and lay the groundwork for a successful summit." He also stressed, "The United States and China will each defend their own national interests, but it is important to keep talking regardless of our differences."
The two sides also discussed trade, Taiwan, and other regional security issues. China urged the United States to uphold the One-China principle and respect China's core interests, while the United States conveyed concerns over China's economic measures, including export controls on Japan.
As the United States and China reaffirmed their differences on key issues while agreeing to continue consultations for summit diplomacy, the September summit is expected to become a turning point that will shape the direction of bilateral ties.

[email protected] Kim Kyung-min Reporter